The GEM National Consortium offers students from underrepresented groups in STEM who are pursuing MS and PhDs in STEM fields opportunities and access to dozens of top science and engineering firms and universities in the nation. In 2021 the GEM Full Fellowship was awarded to two outstanding UofSC students: Micah Crumpton and Christopher Carter.

Micah Crumpton is studying computer engineering and eventually hopes to pursue a PhD in computer engineering. He is originally from Columbia, SC and is currently pursuing his master’s in electrical and computer engineering at UofSC. In addition to the GEM Fellowship, Crumpton is a Gates Millennium Scholar, an NSF REU recipient, American Association of Blacks in Energy Scholar and underwater robotics champion. 

Christopher Carter is a mechanical engineering major with a minor in three-dimensional studio art from Chapel Hill, NC. He was named an Outstanding Senior for the Mechanical Engineering Department this spring, is a former recipient of the NASA Space Grant, a McNair Junior Fellow and will begin pursuing a PhD in mechanical engineering this fall. Eventually, Carter would like to become a professor and researcher.  

Why it matters:  

• GEM provides a large network, financial support, and expert knowledge to help ensure student success in competitive academic and professional environments.
• GEM Fellows are selected by STEM companies who are building their future S&T workforce; they are members of under-represented groups in science and engineering as defined by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• The GEM Full Fellowship covers tuition, institutional fees and internships.
• The National GEM Consortium has a 40+ year history of educating students who have risen to the highest leadership positions in industry, government labs, and academia. 

“We are very pleased to continue supporting Carolina students in winning fellowships from the National GEM Consortium,” says Mike Matthews, the Associate Vice President for Research and mentor to GEM applicants. “These students, from groups historically under-represented in STEM fields, will receive both the fellowship and valuable graduate-level internships sponsored by industry. The GEM mentoring network will help them to become tomorrow’s leaders in their fields.” 

National Fellowships and Scholar Programs is happy to assist students applying for the GEM.  Special thanks to Dr. Matthews for his support and mentorship of our GEM applicants.